( JCortez )

Comments made by JCortez

The power of a big ego precludes some politicians from ever thinking their actions might have consequences. It's the only way I can justify Filner's actions.....and there is too much out there for him to be completely innocent. To proclaim him innocent is innocence itself, or simply naiveté.

Is it any wonder existing cab owners would want to protect their business? Heaven knows the storyline has been heavily tilted towards the poor taxi drivers who only make $5/hr. and the coordinated movement to raise them to levels they may not be able to maintain, has been moving fast and furiously. The Mayor seems to be working backwards into what he wants and seems to owe this Somalian group something. Same goes for Marti Emerald.

Well...no matter the outcome, I certainly hope they incorporate some serious customer service training into the requirements. KPBS why don't you investigate the side of the consumer?? There is a story - credit card fraud, long hauling, cheating on vouchers, sexual advances to ladies in the wee hours of the night when they are intoxicated and trying to get home, and over all bad customer service. These guys have to be independent contractors, otherwise no one would hire them or keep them for very long.

If KPBS is working so hard to assist their movement, they should be held responsible for the outcome.

One has to wonder why KPBS continues to carry the torch for the United Taxi Worker's Association. Why are they attempting to create a story where one really doesn't exist and why does the same Mikaiil guy show up in all their reports. The taxi owners are not violating any rules and MTS is doing their regulatory duty.

Objective reporting??? I don't think so. I think KPBS is acting like an extension of the Union. Just watch.....they will continue to produce these one sided taxi reports until they reach their collective goal. What that is exactly depends on what their comrades dictate.

stacy314, you are obviously associated with the group who produced that ridiculous report. If you want to help drivers earn a better living, then quit trying to redistribute wealth. Have them improve their customer service and the rest will follow.

Not everyone is equipped to be a business owner, and owning and running taxi cabs is a business. The Somalians, who are behind this entire public display of pity are the ones who are largely responsible for the bad state of the business. They had their chance to own permits (All Nations Cab) and ran it into the ground, then are trying to sell their permits for $800,000 in the very "Shadow Market" they claim to despair about. A bit hypocritical isn't it???

Adding a bunch more cabs to the city will do nothing to improve their state. Until they do more to address their customer service such as being courteous to the elderly and women, acting and dressing more professionally, and knowing where they are location wise, then they will never improve their lot.

They opened the door to this discussion...then they should be prepared to hear everything.

What I find most troubling about this whole taxi business is that reputable organizations, such as KPBS, the Union Tribune, and even the Mayor's office, buy into the report put out by SDSU and CPI as if it were gospel. It's embarrassing really.

How does an informal, anonymous survey of a few drivers end up being cited as fact. Don't news organizations and the government have to do a little fact checking...or is that a rhetorical question?

The thing I find missing most from all this falderal is the customer service aspect. The report never touched on the fact that drivers are not required to take any type of customer service training. MTS or whoever ends up being in charge, should require that each and every driver should have to learn some standards that might improve their business and result in them making more money.

The Union and the CPI which seem to be in lockstep, only seem to want to make their point regardless of the truth. I don't think very many people buy into this $5/hr bologna....I think it only serves to make their story less believable.

BTW....this whole KPBS report sounds like a big set up by the union. All I can say is look at the case of All Nations Cab. They were awarded 5 permits from MTS for free and now I hear that company is for sale for $800,000. Talk about hypocritical. KPBS, you left that out of your story.